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148
The Diary of a Nobody
·
George Grossmith Weedon Grossmith
123
Mr.
Perkupp
said:
“Good-morning,
Mr.
Pooter!
This
is
a
very
serious
business.
I
am
not
referring
so
much
to
the
dismissal
of
your
son,
for
I
knew
we
should
have
to
part
sooner
or
later.
I
am
the
head
of
this
old,
influential,
and
much-respected
firm;
and
when
I
consider
the
time
has
come
to
revolutionise
the
business,
I
will
do
it
myself.”
I
could
see
my
good
master
was
somewhat
affected,
and
I
said:
“I
hope,
sir,
you
do
not
imagine
that
I
have
in
any
way
countenanced
my
son’s
unwarrantable
interference?”
Mr.
Perkupp
rose
from
his
seat
and
took
my
hand,
and
said:
“Mr.
Pooter,
I
would
as
soon
suspect
myself
as
suspect
you.”
I
was
so
agitated
that
in
the
confusion,
to
show
my
gratitude
I
very
nearly
called
him
a
“grand
old
man.”
Fortunately
I
checked
myself
in
time,
and
said
he
was
a
“grand
old
master.”
I
was
so
unaccountable
for
my
actions
that
I
sat
down,
leaving
him
standing.
Of
course,
I
at
once
rose,
but
Mr.
Perkupp
bade
me
sit
down,
which
I
was
very
pleased
to
do.
Mr.
Perkupp,
resuming,
said:
“You
will
understand,
Mr.
Pooter,
that
the
high-standing
nature
of
our
firm
will
not
admit
of
our
bending
to
anybody.
If
Mr.
Crowbillon
chooses
to
put
his
work
into
other
hands—
I
may
add,
less
experienced
hands—
it
is
not
for
us
to
bend
and
beg
back
his
custom.”
“You
shall
not
do
it,
sir,”
I
said
with
indignation.
“Exactly,”
replied
Mr.
Perkupp;
“I
shall
not
do
it.
But
I
was
thinking
this,
Mr.
Pooter.
Mr.
Crowbillon
is
our
most
valued
client,
and
I
will
even
confess—
for
I
know
this
will
not
go
beyond
ourselves—
that
we
cannot
afford
very
well
to
lose
him,
especially
in
these
times,
which
are
not
of
the
brightest.
Now,
I
fancy
you
can
be
of
service.”
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